Tanzania Wildlife & Safari

Discover Saadani National Park with Akika Adventure Tours

Saadani National Park covering an area of approximately 1,062 square kilometers (415 square miles), Saadani National Park is located on the northern coast of Tanzania, about 100 km northwest of Dar es Salaam. It is the only wildlife sanctuary in East Africa where the beach meets the bush, offering a rare combination of marine and mainland ecosystems. Saadani presents a unique and captivating environment where visitors can experience traditional safari adventures alongside coastal relaxation. It is one of the few places in the world where you can observe wildlife and then unwind on the shores of the Indian Ocean within the same day. The park’s name traces back to a 19th century Arab settlement. Originally, the area was known as Utondwe, a small fishing village that later became Saadani. This region holds significant historical importance, having been referenced by early explorers and scholars such as Johannes Rebmann, Ptolemy, Richard Burton, and Al-Masudi. Saadani once functioned as a key coastal trade center, linking inland territories with overseas markets, including during the era of the slave trade. Wildlife in Saadani is diverse and abundant. Visitors can encounter a wide variety of grazers and primates, including giraffes, buffaloes, warthogs, waterbucks, reedbucks, hartebeests, wildebeests, red duikers, greater kudus, elands, sable antelopes, yellow baboons, and vervet monkeys. Elephant herds sometimes numbering up to 30 individuals are increasingly common, while predators such as lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, and black backed jackals also inhabit the park. One of the park’s highlights is a boat safari along the mangrove lined Wami River, where visitors have a high chance of spotting hippos, crocodiles, and a rich variety of birdlife. These include kingfishers, fish eagles, herons, and other marine and riverine species, making it a paradise for bird watchers. Overall, Saadani National Park offers a one of a kind safari experience where wilderness exploration seamlessly blends with the tranquility of the ocean.